CWS Printing Works, Longsight, Manchester

The Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) was originally established in 1863 and the Scottish CWS followed in 1868. A full history of The Co-operative can be read here.

The C.W.S. Printing Works at Longsight, Manchester, was the Co-operative Wholesale Society's printing division, presumably set up to print labels and packaging for their range of products. During the 1930s a range of advertising playing cards was produced promoting various products from the Co-op's range. The Ace of Spades features the wheatsheaf motif in the centre with the legend "Labor and Wait" on a banderole, with "C.W.S.Printing Works Longsight Manchester" beneath. The Joker is a full-length jester holding a bauble.

Above: advertising playing cards manufactured by C.W.S. Printing Works, Longsight, Manchester during the 1930s.

At least six different C.W.S. Snap games were published by the English & Scottish Joint Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited and printed at their printing works in Longsight, Manchester during the 1930s - see below.

Above: "Game of Snap" playing cards manufactured by C.W.S. Printing Works, Longsight, Manchester during the 1930s. 48 cards; 12 sets of four identical cards showing various stages in the cultivation and production of tea on C.W.S. plantations.